deviltry

noun

Etymology: Variant of devilry, influenced by gallantry.

1. Devilry.

   “The poor girl had a right to her chance, and he should not really alter anything by taking it away from her; for was she not the artist to the tips of her tresses (the ambassadress never in the world), and would she not take it out in something else if one were to make her deviate? So certain was that irrepressible deviltry to insist ever on its own.”

   “They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.”